It has been a while since the eclectic rock supergroup The Damned Things have been active. It would be completely natural to presume the group would have died out with the release of just one full-length release, Ironiclast. The lineup featured busy artists like guitarist Scott Ian of Anthrax, drummer Andy Hurley and guitarist Joe Trohman of Fall Out Boy, vocalist Keith Buckley and bassist Josh Newton of Every Time I Die and guitarist Rob Caggiano of Volbeat (and for a minute, Anthrax).
However, Hurley revealed on the 100 Words or Less podcast (which is hosted by Ray Harkins, lead singer of Southern California hardcore band Taken), that he has recorded a five-song EP with the band. At 1:13:25 he discusses The Damned Things.
Despite the fact that there could be a pending release from this impressive and diverse range of metal, hardcore and punk superstars, it does not seem like a tour is in the works. Hurley said, “I don’t think we’ll be playing, Anthrax is still touring on their last record. ETID just put out their new record, uh, who else? Josh Newton I think has been playing lately…So you know, that’s all over the place.”
As all-star lineups like the one The Damned Things sports can have a bit of a transient nature, there is no indication if all of the members from Ironiclast were involved in the new recording sessions.
Every Time I Die recently released their eighth album Low Teens and are embarking on Spring 2017 tour in support of the Epitaph Records-released effort.
Anthrax has also had a busy 2016, releasing another new album, the excellent For All Kings, which spawned singles like “Blood Eagle Wings” and “Monster at the End” and surprising acoustic rendition of “Breathing Lightning.”. The band also announced a Record Store Day exclusive 7″ for Black Friday, which featured “A Monster at the End” and “Vice of the People.”
Even Caggiano has had a busy 2016, releasing an album with his main gig Volbeat, Seal the Deal & Let’s Boogie in June. Naturally, the single “Seal the Deal” was released from the album with a video being made.
UPDATE (1/3): Those anticipating a new The Damned Things EP may be a bit disappointed to learn that the recordings are in a very raw stage, as Buckley revealed in an interview with Alternative Press. In the interview, Buckley stated that the band has more than enough material to fill out an EP, but that it was still very much in the “demo” stage of the creative process. The band is trying new things vocally and adjusting riffs, and that while it is too early to totally describe the forthcoming material expect a weirder, more atmospheric sound from the supergroup. He elaborated that the band has taken a new approach to writing the new songs and they are the “truest sound we’re capable of.”
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